Fence Designs for Privacy Fences, Split Rail, and Picket Fences

A major selling point for home ownership is privacy. The correct
fence can provide separation from the outside world while also enhancing security
for your family and pets. It can create a decorative border at your property
line as well. Choose the right privacy fence for your home after learning
more about the different types of materials and designs available.

Types of Privacy Fence Materials

Three types of privacy fence materials are within the budget of most homeowners:
wood, vinyl, and chain link. They each have their pros and cons.

Wood remains a popular choice because it suits a variety of architectural
styles and building materials.

Wood pros: Affordability; ability to
stain or paint to complement house and landscaping; ease of repair; and longevity, which
can reach 15 years if taken care of during its lifetime

Vinyl offers homeowners an alternative to wood that requires less maintenance.

Vinyl pros: Staining or painting not required; little to no maintenance; no susceptibility
to rot, warping or termites; ease of repair; and longevity, with many
vinyl fences coming with a lifetime guarantee

Chain link pros: Low cost and a design that holds up to strong winds better than other
materials; slats in a variety of colors can be added to create a privacy fence

Cons of chain link fencing: Can be considered an unattractive design

Privacy Fence Construction and Design

While concrete and chain link vary little in terms of design, wood and
vinyl come in a wider variety of options. Picket and split rail do not
offer enough privacy to qualify as this type of fence, but others do:

Board on board: With this type of fence, vertical boards are installed on both sides of
the cross beams, leaving a bit of space between each board to allow air
flow. Next-door neighbors and those outside the fence line cannot see
inside unless up close, and what they see is limited by the adjacent board.

Board on baton: This fence type follows the same overall design concept as board on board,
but it eliminates the gap and provides total privacy.

Flat: This design only has vertical boards on one side, which means the crossbeams
face out and face in. If you opt to have the crossbeams face out, someone
could use them to climb the fence. If you opt to have them face in, you
do not get the smooth look of the flat surface from within your yard.

In terms of aesthetics, the top of a privacy fence allows homeowners the
most flexibility. Latticework, convex designs, and decorative fence posts
enhance the look of wood and vinyl fencing.

Inspiration for Privacy Fence Design

The options listed here are just a few of the designs available. To find
the inspiration for a privacy fence that suits your home and personal
taste, look to websites such as
Pinterest and
Houzz. They include photos of fences from around the world that you can take to your
professional handyman for duplication in your own back yard. A professional can also steer you
toward the right materials for your particular weather to ensure that
you get the most out of your investment.

Mr. Handyman can maintain your home to save you money. One call really does take care
of everything on your to-do list. All Mr. Handyman franchises are Fully
Insured with General Liability and Workers Compensation. Some services
are subject to state and local licensing and may not be available in all
locations. Make sure to stay on top of all your household repairs, improvements
and maintenance needs and
request service in your area.